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Fast Food Workers Across the Country Go on Strike

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Fast-food customers should pack plenty of patience as they set off to buy those fries and shakes.

Customers were expected to face longer lines because of a strike by fast-food workers in 60 cities on Thursday, including Los Angeles.

It was the largest strike to date in an almost year-long campaign to get higher wages, and was expected to include workers at McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Burger King and other restaurants.

Dozens of workers could be seen walking the picket line in front of a Burger King in South Los Angeles at the corner of Century and Broadway.

They were joined by Los Angeles city councilman Paul Koretz who told KTLA 5 he was there to show the workers his support.

The walkouts followed a series of strikes last year in New York City, which then spread to other cities including Chicago, Detroit and Seattle.

Fast-food employees want to form unions and push for higher wages of $15 an hour up from $7.25, which is the current federal minimum wage.

They also want assurances they will not face retaliation from their employers.

Average pay for fast-food workers is about $8.94 per hour, according to the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group for lower-wage workers.

But many fast-food companies said they provide good jobs along with opportunities for workers to rise through the ranks.

“McDonald’s aims to offer competitive pay and benefits to our employees. Our history is full of examples of individuals who worked their first job with McDonald’s and went on to successful careers both within and outside of McDonald’s,” the company said in a statement.

jbchinoca

dailydebacle

esco

$15 an hour for a skilless j0b that anyone can do? I don't see that happen!ng. You don't hand over big raises just because cost of liv!ng expenses of the employee is high. The economy is not so good, wages are down, and companies expect more out of you for less. It's just a fact of life now.